Batavia Preps

Join hosts Josh Welge and Joel Boenitz as they preview the state title games of the IHSA football playoffs in the western suburbs

Boys basketball season is almost here. Here are previews of teams from around the Kane County Chronicle coverage area.

Michael Vander Luitgaren found Isaiah Brown for the go-ahead touchdown to cap off an 85-yard drive in the final two minutes to help Batavia advance to the state title game once again after defeating Lincoln-Way Central 25-21.

Batavia faces Lincoln-Way Central in the semifinals of the 2024 Class 7A IHSA football playoffs. Friday Night Drive reporter Joel Boenitz will have live updates, scores and news from the game

After leading St. Charles North back to the state tournament, while also being crowned DuKane Conference champion, freshman Kayla Beu is the 2024 Kane County Chronicle Girls Golfer of the Year. Plus the All-Area team.

While it was only the quarterfinal round of the IHSA football playoffs, the defense played a big part in helping Batavia, Geneva and St. Francis find themselves one step closer to winning the state title.

Join hosts Josh Welge and Joel Boenitz as they preview the semifinal round of the IHSA football playoffs in the western suburbs

Girls basketball season is almost here. Here are previews of teams from around the Kane County Chronicle coverage area.

Nathan Whitwell rushed for 157 yards and a touchdown on 40 carries, and All-State DB Chase Osborne led a dominant defensive effort that shut out Downers Grove North's offense in Batavia's 17-7 win in a Class 7A quarterfinal.

Batavia hosted Downers Grove North football in a Class 7A quarterfinal on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024 in Batavia.

Downers Grove North faces Batavia in the quarterfinals of the 2024 Class 7A IHSA football playoffs. Friday Night Drive editor Josh Welge will have live updates, scores and news from the game

Here's a look at the three quarterfinal matchups for Kane County Chronicle teams.

Six players from the Kane County area were named to the IFHSCA 2024 All-State team, with Geneva and St. Francis having two players nominated, while Batavia, Burlington Central and St. Charles North each having one.

Join hosts Josh Welge and Joel Boenitz as they preview the quarterfinal round of the IHSA football playoffs in the western suburbs

After rolling out new offensive threats for the postseason in each of the last two seasons, Batavia QB Michael Vander-luitgaren is the newest weapon. Plus, notes on Geneva and St. Francis' wins, as well as St. Charles North's season coming to an end.

Batavia sophomore Avery Hacker enjoyed a happy return to the Class 3A state cross country meet Saturday, finishing an All-State eighth to lead the Bulldogs to fifth place. Meanwhile in Class 2A Kaneland's Evan Nosek took third, becoming the Knights' first four-time All-Stater.

Early on Lincoln-Way West appeared to be poised to cruise to a second-round victory Saturday, but Batavia scored 25 unanswered points and claimed a stunning 25-21 victory in Class 7A.

Batavia faces Lincoln-Way West in Round 2 of the 2024 Class 7A IHSA football playoffs. Friday Night Drive editor Steve Soucie will have live updates, scores and news from the game

After spending 10 years on active duty in the Marines, Jon Woods has dedicated himself to making sure other veterans get the recognition they deserve whether through the local VFW branch or Batavia football's Military Appreciation Night.

After finishing 18th at the Class 3A meet a season ago, Batavia, led by a core of sophomores and juniors, is hoping to achieve a top-five finish at state this time around. Plus, a look into other Kane County teams and individuals racing in Peoria on Saturday.

After having two of their top 5 miss a month throughout the regular season, Kaneland is ready to comeback in full force at the Class 2A state meet. Plus, looks at the other teams and individuals running at Detweiller Park on Saturday.

A look at the football games around the Kane County Chronicle area heading into the second round of the IHSA playoffs.

Join hosts Josh Welge and Joel Boenitz as they preview Round 2 of the IHSA football playoffs in the western suburbs

After only playing in three games his sophomore season, wide receiver Keaton Reinke has been putting the state on notice. Plus, notes on Batavia running back Greyson Kelly finding his place, Talyn Taylor's magical season at Geneva, and Burlington Central's playoff victory.

DeKalb's Jacob Barraza ran a personal record time in holding off Wheaton Warrenville South's Josiah Narayanan as boys champion, York swept the boys and girls team titles, York freshman Karlin Janowski won the girls race and Batavia boys and girls were second at Lake Park.

Batavia's offense, led by senior wide receiver Isaiah Brown, put up 47 points in the first half to cruise to a 54-13 first-round victory over Collinsville and advance to the second round of the Class 7A playoffs.

Batavia hosts Collinsville in a Class 7A first-round game on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024.

Collinsville faces Batavia in Round 1 of the 2024 Class 7A IHSA football playoffs Friday Night Drive reporter Joel Boenitz will have live updates, scores and news from the game

A look at the football games around the Kane County Chronicle area heading into the first round of the IHSA playoffs.

St. Charles North quarterback Ethan Plumb has had to play hero a few times this season. And against Geneva, he did it again to secure a share of the DuKane Conference title. Plus, notes on Batavia and St. Francis' final regular season games, and Marmion's return to the playoffs.

Here are the first-round matchups for each Kane County Chronicle area team.

Here are the opening round pairings for the Class 7A playoffs.

A look at at the football games around the Kane County Chronicle area heading into the final week of the 2024 season.

While Geneva has a chance to win their first outright conference title since 2010, St. Charles North has a chance to spoil the fun with a victory for a share of the DuKane conference. Plus, notes on teams gearing up for the playoffs, and others making one final push in Week 9.

Nine of 10 Kane County teams either are squarely in

Led by wins from Avery Hacker and Francesco Benelli in the girls and boys races, Batavia came away with both team titles at the DuKane Conference meet on Saturday at Lake Park.

Batavia Running back Nathan Whitwell rushed for over 100 yards for the sixth time this season and found the end zone four times in a 35-13 victory over Wheaton Warrenville South.

Batavia hosted Wheaton Warrenville South in Week 8 of football on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024 in Batavia.

Wheaton Warrenville South faces Batavia in Week 8 of the 2024 IHSA football season. Friday Night Drive reporter Joel Boenitz will have live updates, scores and news from the game

After taking the Class 2A boys golf individual title last year, Marmion senior Regan Konen is looking to repeat, as well as help his team to a title. That, plus St. Charles North's girls team hopes to shine in first state trip since winning it all in 2018.

With just two weeks remaining in the 2024 football season, every Kane County team has at least a slight chance to be playing some extra football this season. Here are where teams stand before Week 8 kicks off.

A look at at the football games around the Kane County Chronicle area for Week 8 of the 2024 season.

After a big offensive showing against Prairie Ridge, Burlington Central has put themselves in a position to make it to the playoffs for the first time since 2014. Plus, notes on Geneva's last defensive stand and Batavia and St. Charles North punching their way into the playoffs.

Junior quarterback Bodi Anderson scored on an 80-yard touchdown run on the first play from scrimmage and tossed two first-half TD passes, and Batavia rode that fast start and offensive barrage to a 56-7 win at St. Charles East.

A look at at the football games around the Kane County Chronicle area for Week 7 of the 2024 season.

Downers Grove North's boys and girls teams took home the team title, with Philip Cupial and Gavin Schroeder leading the boys with a 1-2 finish, while Sandwich's Sunny Weber controlled the girls race to take the individual title.

Hosts Josh Welge and Joel Boenitz preview Week 7 in the western suburbs for IHSA football

Finnegan Weppner's three-touchdown night and Michael Rumoro's 200 rushing yards gave Geneva a much-needed edge to beat Batavia for the first time in 14 seasons. Plus a note on St. Charles North's crosstown dominance and teams being one step closer to the playoffs.

Gilligan’s 71 helped the Tigers finish with a 307, a stroke better than Geneva’s 308. Both of those schools are advancing to the IHSA state final tournament Oct. 18-19 at The Den at Fox Creek Golf Course in Bloomington along with sectional champion Hinsdale Central.

Geneva wide receiver Finnegan Weppner had three touchdowns in the second half to lead the Vikings to a 30-7 victory over Batavia, their first over the Bulldogs since 2010.